M5 diversion routes as ‘police-led’ incident shuts motorway
Need to know
There have been delays for hours
21:50, 14 Jun 2026
Diversion routes are in place on the M5 this evening (June 14) after a police-led incident has shut the motorway.
There are delays of more than an hour on the M5 this evening after the "police incident" has seen the motorway being shut in both directions near Avonmouth[1].
Motorists are being urged to find alternative routes as there are currently delays of 65 minutes northbound and 20 minutes southbound.
The M5 is currently shut between J18 and 19 southbound, and from J21 to J18 northbound.
Here are the details for the diversion routes in place:
Southbound - Road users travelling on the M5 southbound are advised to follow the Hollow Circle symbol on road signs.
- Exit the M5 at J18A onto the Avonmouth Spur road.
- Take the slip road towards Portway roundabout.
- Take the 2nd exit onto the A4.
- Continue south on the A4 (this will take you through the clean are zone, Bristol Council have confirmed the clean air zone has been switched off for this closure) to Gurney roundabout.
- Take the 1st exit onto the A4174 South Bristol Link road and continue until you reach Lime Kiln roundabout.
- Take the 3rd exit onto the A38.
- Continue south on the A38 to East Brent.
- At the East Brent roundabout, take the 1st exit onto Bristol Road.
- At the next roundabout, take the 1st exit to re-join the M5 at J22.
Northbound - Road users travelling on the M5 northbound are advised to follow the Solid Triangle symbol on road signs
- From J21 head east on the A370
- Follow the A370 east for approx.
14 miles until the A370/A4 junction.
- Take the link road onto the A4 and continue north (this will take you through the clean are zone, Bristol Council have confirmed the clean air zone has been switched off for this closure).
- Follow the A4 north for approx.
5 miles until the roundabout at J18 in Avonmouth.
- At the roundabout , take the link road to rejoin the M5 at J18A.
If this closure impacts on your planned route please allow extra time.
Plan ahead, you may wish to re-route or even delay your journey.